Callahan said Leary is the type of player who needed to play against a better level of competition to get better. The Cowboys' goal was to keep Leary on the practice squad for the season, but the Oakland Raiders claimed him and Dallas blocked the move by promoting him to the active roster on Dec. 22. He was inactive for the last two weeks of the regular season.

He needs more work in the passing game, especially in picking up the blitz, but it seems the Cowboys want to keep him around more than Phillip Tanner, the other backup running back. Dunbar has good speed and vision and seems to hit holes faster than Tanner. He will compete, possibly with Tanner in training camp, to be Murray's backup. The key for Dunbar, of course, is whether the new special teams coach thinks he can provide an impact on his unit.

He possesses good natural strength and moves well for a bigger player. The best hope as the Cowboys go forward is that he can be a rotational player, but it might be asking too much to view him as a possible future starter. He has some versatility that will serve him well, but he will be a player who will face competition as the team looks to upgrade the defensive line.

At 5-8, 177 pounds, Beasley lacks the size you want in a receiver to play on the outside, so he is limited mostly to being a slot receiver. He has the quickness and savvy to play on the inside and he is not afraid.

To make a move on a roster spot, McSurdy will have to show he can play special teams. In a way he will enter this summer's camp the same way he entered last summer's: fighting for a chance to make the 53-man roster.

Phillips is a free agent, and it appears he in unlikely to return. If that's the case, Hanna would move into the role of No. 2 tight end behind Witten. Hanna has displayed an ability to run good routes and make catches.

The hope is that Coale will be ready for the beginning of training camp, but that might be pushing it. The Cowboys could look for wide receiver help in the draft or perhaps look at a low-cost free agent, which would hurt Coale's chances. Because of the foot injury, he never really displayed the 4.3-second 40-yard dash time the Cowboys say he ran at Virginia Tech nor the quickness getting in and out of his cuts. He did show pretty good hands and toughness. He can play inside and outside, which is a plus, and he can be a cover guy on special teams.

The Cowboys touted his work as a possible edge rusher in their 3-4 system after his 13.5 sacks in four years at Wake Forest, but the move to a 4-3 seems to make him an odd fit unless he can fit in at strong side outside linebacker in Monte Kiffin's 4-3 defense.

Claiborne definitely has the ability to be a top corner in the league, and he flashed some of that this year. Has a few things to work on, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him as our #1 guy in a season or two.

Crawford really came on as the year went along. With the move to a 4-3, I think it will benefit him and really maximize his talents. Looking forward to seeing him as the LDE.

It's hard to comment on Wilber, especially when he didn't see much action in base packages. However, he did show some flash with that hit in the final game against Washington. Right now, it looks like he and Albright are in contention for the SLB job.

Matt Johnson must have really impressed the staff during the time he was able to get on the field due to him being designated our only IR'd player eligible for return. He seems like a great fit for Kiffin's scheme as well so hopefully he is able to stay healthy next season and show why so many labeled him a steal for us.

As with Johnson, Coale was derailed by injuries as well. With Harris and Beasley coming along, he's going to have some stiff competition for playing time.

Hanna really, really impressed me. If he can work on his blocking, I think he's our heir apparent to Witten...because his hands are great.

McSurdy showed some flashes during the Oakland game (preseason), but I think our move to a 4-3 limits his abilities to play linebacker. He worked out at FB for us prior to the draft (or shortly after), so he could see himself change positions if he hopes to stay on the team.

I really liked what I saw out of Dunbar and agree he's better than Tanner. Nothing really needs to be said about "Beeznuts", he speaks for himself. It would be great if Leary was able to take over one of the starting OL jobs, but not going to hold my breath._________________

Claiborne definitely has the ability to be a top corner in the league, and he flashed some of that this year. Has a few things to work on, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him as our #1 guy in a season or two.

Crawford really came on as the year went along. With the move to a 4-3, I think it will benefit him and really maximize his talents. Looking forward to seeing him as the LDE.

It's hard to comment on Wilber, especially when he didn't see much action in base packages. However, he did show some flash with that hit in the final game against Washington. Right now, it looks like he and Albright are in contention for the SLB job.

Matt Johnson must have really impressed the staff during the time he was able to get on the field due to him being designated our only IR'd player eligible for return. He seems like a great fit for Kiffin's scheme as well so hopefully he is able to stay healthy next season and show why so many labeled him a steal for us.

As with Johnson, Coale was derailed by injuries as well. With Harris and Beasley coming along, he's going to have some stiff competition for playing time.

Hanna really, really impressed me. If he can work on his blocking, I think he's our heir apparent to Witten...because his hands are great.

McSurdy showed some flashes during the Oakland game (preseason), but I think our move to a 4-3 limits his abilities to play linebacker. He worked out at FB for us prior to the draft (or shortly after), so he could see himself change positions if he hopes to stay on the team.

I really liked what I saw out of Dunbar and agree he's better than Tanner. Nothing really needs to be said about "Beeznuts", he speaks for himself. It would be great if Leary was able to take over one of the starting OL jobs, but not going to hold my breath.

Not to rag on you again, but was it his 3 catches for 20 yard performance, 2 catches for 45 yard performance, or just hit season total of 8 catches for 86 yards? Admit it. You just have a man crush.

Claiborne definitely has the ability to be a top corner in the league, and he flashed some of that this year. Has a few things to work on, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him as our #1 guy in a season or two.

Crawford really came on as the year went along. With the move to a 4-3, I think it will benefit him and really maximize his talents. Looking forward to seeing him as the LDE.

It's hard to comment on Wilber, especially when he didn't see much action in base packages. However, he did show some flash with that hit in the final game against Washington. Right now, it looks like he and Albright are in contention for the SLB job.

Matt Johnson must have really impressed the staff during the time he was able to get on the field due to him being designated our only IR'd player eligible for return. He seems like a great fit for Kiffin's scheme as well so hopefully he is able to stay healthy next season and show why so many labeled him a steal for us.

As with Johnson, Coale was derailed by injuries as well. With Harris and Beasley coming along, he's going to have some stiff competition for playing time.

Hanna really, really impressed me. If he can work on his blocking, I think he's our heir apparent to Witten...because his hands are great.

McSurdy showed some flashes during the Oakland game (preseason), but I think our move to a 4-3 limits his abilities to play linebacker. He worked out at FB for us prior to the draft (or shortly after), so he could see himself change positions if he hopes to stay on the team.

I really liked what I saw out of Dunbar and agree he's better than Tanner. Nothing really needs to be said about "Beeznuts", he speaks for himself. It would be great if Leary was able to take over one of the starting OL jobs, but not going to hold my breath.

Not to rag on you again, but was it his 3 catches for 20 yard performance, 2 catches for 45 yard performance, or just hit season total of 8 catches for 86 yards? Admit it. You just have a man crush.

Cole Beasley was wrecking havoc in the 1st Skins game. Romo trust him and the boy has hands. If we can run plays for him the way NE runs it for Welker he can contribute. I see no reason for Miles to run the slot when he benefits more being the Speed/Deep Route guy.

Here are the stats of our two top picks last season (the only rookies listed in this article). I encourage everyone to click on the link and look at the defense as a whole and how different players performed.

Tyrone Crawford: 303 snaps played
0 sacks
3 Hits
12 Run Stops
1 coverage stop
0 INT, 0 PD, 0 FF, 0 REC
This was good enough for a total play by play productivity of 5.3%. Good enough for the 4th best percentage out of the defensive linemen. Also had the second most run stops on the defensive line.

Morris Claibrone: 909 Snaps played
0 sacks, 0 hits
3 Run Stops
7 coverage stops
1 interception
7 passes defended
1 Forced fumble
2 recovered fumbles
This was good enough for the 3rd best total play by play productivity for the secondary(2.3%). Second most coverage stops. Second most passes defended.

Stops are one of my favorite stats, wish they were used more often. They're still not fully indicative out of context (i.e., maybe the DL destroyed the lineman allowing the linebacker to make the play and the stop), but they're so much more revealing than just tackles._________________

Claiborne definitely has the ability to be a top corner in the league, and he flashed some of that this year. Has a few things to work on, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him as our #1 guy in a season or two.

Crawford really came on as the year went along. With the move to a 4-3, I think it will benefit him and really maximize his talents. Looking forward to seeing him as the LDE.

It's hard to comment on Wilber, especially when he didn't see much action in base packages. However, he did show some flash with that hit in the final game against Washington. Right now, it looks like he and Albright are in contention for the SLB job.

Matt Johnson must have really impressed the staff during the time he was able to get on the field due to him being designated our only IR'd player eligible for return. He seems like a great fit for Kiffin's scheme as well so hopefully he is able to stay healthy next season and show why so many labeled him a steal for us.

As with Johnson, Coale was derailed by injuries as well. With Harris and Beasley coming along, he's going to have some stiff competition for playing time.

Hanna really, really impressed me. If he can work on his blocking, I think he's our heir apparent to Witten...because his hands are great.

McSurdy showed some flashes during the Oakland game (preseason), but I think our move to a 4-3 limits his abilities to play linebacker. He worked out at FB for us prior to the draft (or shortly after), so he could see himself change positions if he hopes to stay on the team.

I really liked what I saw out of Dunbar and agree he's better than Tanner. Nothing really needs to be said about "Beeznuts", he speaks for himself. It would be great if Leary was able to take over one of the starting OL jobs, but not going to hold my breath.

Not to rag on you again, but was it his 3 catches for 20 yard performance, 2 catches for 45 yard performance, or just hit season total of 8 catches for 86 yards? Admit it. You just have a man crush.

I probably do, but I think he has potential.

If Hanna can put on some muscle, and increase his blocking ability, I could see Dallas running a lot of 2 TE sets. With his speed, he could even motion out from TE into the slot to spread the D out. I too am really expecting good things from his this year.

As far as Leary, he better either be on the active roster, or be gone come September. Jones didn't take a guard, because he thought Leary would be available. Won't derail the thread by traveling to Jerry is a moronville.